[RocketJohn]

I think it's awesome where the "entry level, low cost model" has power better or on par with what we thought was amazing and highly sought after 20 years ago with the BMW E36 M3 :

"The first E36 M3 to be imported to the United States was the 1995 model, which used the S50B30US engine with 240 bhp (179 kW; 243 PS) and 305 N·m (225 lb·ft)"

BMW 228i specs:
243 PS (179 kW; 240 hp)@5000–6500, 346 N·m (255 lb·ft)@1250–4800

At the time the E36 M3 came out, I was driving an E36 318iS and while my car was super light as it was a 1992 model with only the sunroof and a/c as options, (no auto, no tilt, no leather, no trip, no nothing) it was still a thrill to get seat time in a 325i and even more so in an M3. I was floored how much more powerful the M3 was with its additional 100hp over my 318iS.

I guess it's all relative, and I know the 2 models are heavier, but they are also remarkably better made, equipped and reliable. I think we now live in glorious times to have choices as we do and where we don't, say with the auto vs manual, the auto transmissions in the BMW are so impressive.

Such great 1st world problems!

[mvallido]

Originally Posted by Vervain

Yeah that's really hard to do in the m235i!

I just got 8.4L/100km on an 80km highway journey driving mostly up a gradient, between 120-140 kph. I'm quite happy. It's only been almost two weeks of having the car too, so it should get much better.

Fuel consumption was not an issue for me at all. 10 liters of premium gas cost $2.65 here.

[chaswyck1]

Originally Posted by Steven1077

We all know which is better, what people's needs are is another question

Still, after all this, you're talking about "better"? The "best" car (or anything else, for that matter) is the one that meets all of your needs. A product that exceeds your needs is worse because it is wastful. If you needed to lift a 2 ton vehicle and would never need to lift anything heavier, would you pay the extra money to buy a 50 ton floor jack? You got the best car for you and I got the best car for me. We BOTH have the "best car". Period.

[Vervain]

Originally Posted by mvallido

Fuel consumption was not an issue for me at all. 10 liters of premium gas cost $2.65 here.

I'd be flooring it 24/7!

[SmallTownBoy]

Best to first check on the speed limits and penalties for exceeding same in Bahrain, lest you risk amputation of the accelerator foot!

[mmmmm235i]

Originally Posted by chaswyck@yahoo.com

Still, after all this, you're talking about "better"? The "best" car (or anything else, for that matter) is the one that meets all of your needs. A product that exceeds your needs is worse because it is wastful. If you needed to lift a 2 ton vehicle and would never need to lift anything heavier, would you pay the extra money to buy a 50 ton floor jack? You got the best car for you and I got the best car for me. We BOTH have the "best car". Period.

Dude, you and your over exaggerated examples. Shit I might buy a 3 ton tow rate vehicle if I only needed 2 ton for my job (which is so much more analagous to 2 v. 50 tons). Especially if they were very close in price. What YOU call waste OTHERS might see as a luxury. Its very ironic how you and others bash the OPINIONS of others, while your jamming your opinion down other peoples throat. I don't want you to respond because obviously you are unwilling to accept any other view other than your own. Just please stop making ridiculous and irrelevant comparisons.

[bimmerfile]

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by bimmerfile

+1 ..... because each car is "best" to someone, somewhere, for some reason while not being "best" to someone else, somewhere else, possibly for the same reason! They're both right!

Are we done now?

[kdog26372]

Just traded in my X3 for an m235i with xdrive. Being built so won't have for a couple months. But, all this talk about waste and not getting more than what you need is just stupid. Let's put it into perspective; needs vs wants. We need a basic roof over our head and a toilet and some food to eat. Is that all we buy? Of course not, we don't live in a hut, we don't eat cheap oatmeal and ramen noodles for breakfast, lunch and dinner and never go out to a restaurant; God forbid that level of excess. This example can be forwarded to the the 228i owner that thinks he's got the perfect car because it's all he needs. Well, I'd argue it's well beyond what he or anyone needs; he got what he wanted, but way beyond what he would ever need. So, for all the bellyaching about waste, he's as guilty as anyone. Enjoy your ride whatever it might be, but lay off the preachy waste talk, if we all really cared about that we'd be driving $10k Corolla's, living in 300 square foot condos and eating Roman noodles 24/7.

[bladeomatic]

Originally Posted by tke743

Then there's the mill in the M325i, this in my mind, makes up for the slightly less nimble feeling. The M235i's mill could put a smile on a coma victims face.

LOL!

I think the 228i is a fun, toss-able, sporty coupe. But the M235i is like a poor-man's super car, mostly due to that special motor. 0-60 times in the mid 4's? Shut the front door!

An excerpt from Edmunds.com does a nice job:

http://www.edmunds.com/bmw/2-series/...iew-pod-anchor

**************************************************

"In the engine room, the base 228i hardly feels like settling. Punching far above its nominal 240-hp rating, with superior fuel economy to boot, the 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder is good enough to make you question the need for the M235i's 3.0-liter six-cylinder. But then you drive the exquisitely refined, astonishingly quick M235i, and you're quickly reminded why BMW's inline-6 engines are among the all-time greats. "

**************************************************


Both engines are good.
One is surprising,
The other is shocking.

[pazzo]

I think he used an exaggerated example to show how ridiculous the "better" argument is, so lighten up Francis.

It's about the requirements of the INDIVIDUAL, that determines BETTER.

I don't understand why that is so hard to comprehend, without being obnoxious.
If an individual has a requirement to haul bricks, then a pickup will be BETTER to meet those requirements than a Miata.

If a requirement is the color Orange, then the 228i is BETTER.
If a requirement is HP, then the M235i is BETTER.

The OPS question was....
Considering BMW 2-Series and I need some assistance from those that already own/drive one of these two models. Please provide inputs on ownership experiences.

You could read "inputs" as OPINION, correct?

[pazzo]

Originally Posted by mmmmm235i

By this logic the 235 would be the better choice for the street then.

So I started at page one, search for the word "BETTER" and this is the first use of the word "better" in this thread (page 2), that was used unequivocally.

That means YOU are the first to use the word "BETTER" without the context of it being in your opinion.

Food for thought.

[chaswyck1]

Originally Posted by mmmmm235i

I don't want you to respond...

I don't give a **** what you want or don't want. I have nothing more to say you. I'm only responding because you didn't want me to.

[Bimmer86]

This is like fighting over whether the MacBook Air or the MacBook Pro is better. Lets all just enjoy our cars.

[DCastaneda]

I'm just glad I decided against the BRZ/FRS. Talk about slow.

[RocketJohn]

Did they not paint the m235 Orange because it's the same shade of the I series m?

[hans007]

Originally Posted by Bimmer86

This is like fighting over whether the MacBook Air or the MacBook Pro is better. Lets all just enjoy our cars.

haha...c mon now, its clear its the pro. unless you just cant carry that extra .6 to 1 lb.

[mvallido]

Originally Posted by Vervain

I'd be flooring it 24/7!

I also enjoy it when people are looking when I slow down due to down shifting instead of using the brakes then pull away high revving. I can't remember the last time driving in comfort mode.

[bimmerfile]

[shark715]

Originally Posted by bimmerfile

yes, we have completely wasted a few million electrons here -

[SmallTownBoy]

Originally Posted by bimmerfile

Agree 110%. No one should post "IMMEDIETLY." Very stoopid!

[DarkstarZero]